Don't have an account?

Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Westfield City Councilor Brian Sullivan will not seek seat held by Senator Michael Knapik

102611 brian sullivan with seniors.JPG

10.26.2011 | WESTFIELD -- Brian P. Sullivan, seen here meeting with voters in his last campaign for Westfield City Council, said Thursday he will not seek the Senate seat held by Michael Knapik, who is resiging Friday.
(The Republican [file])

Knapik, also of Westfield, will resign on Friday after about 23 years in the state Legislature to become the executive director of advancement at Westfield State University.

Sullivan was among the Democrats considered as a possible candidate; his brother, Westfield School Committee member Kevin Sullivan, who ran unsuccessfully for the Governor's Council seat won by Michael Albano, has also said he will not be a candidate for the Senate seat.

Easthampton Mayor Michael Tautznik is the only Democrat to have announced his intentions to seek the Senate seat.

State Rep. Donald F. Humason, R-Westfield, has announced his plans to run for the Senate.

“I have decided, after great thought and many conversations with family and close friends not to enter into the race,” Brian Sullivan wrote in the email.

“I am honored that my name has been brought up in discussions, and I want to thank Senator Knapik for all of his years of service to the district. The new senator will have large shoes to fill.”

Those seeking to fill the seat will have until Aug. 27 to file nomination papers to municipal registrars of voters offices and the last day to file certified papers with the secretary of state’s office is Sept. 3. Papers must be signed by at least 300 certified voters.

State Rep. Aaron Vega, D-Holyoke, and Patrick B. Beaudry, a former legislative aide from Holyoke, are among other Democrats who may be weighing a bid for Senate.

The Senate adopted an order on Thursday to set the special election Nov. 5 with a primary slated for Oct. 8.

Several communities hold municipal elections on Nov. 5, so the move to schedule the special election then will save money.

Besides Easthampton, Holyoke and Westfield, the district includes parts of Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield, Agawam, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick and Tolland and Southampton.